The super-talented, mega-versatile Melvin Galapon treats us all to some super new updates

Sometimes as the December days darken the creative world seems to slide into a slight pre-Christmas torpor and new work is rather few and far between. But the pay-off for this undoubtedly comes in January when the New Year’s Resolutions kick into overdrive and the world and his wife update their sites with super new projects. The latest to invite us to feast on his recent work was illustrator Melvin Galapon who enjoyed a top 2012 with a host of interesting and eye-catching projects. Not only is Melvin a really skilled image-maker, he is also terrifically versatile; so alongside prints and textile designs there are also idents for Spine TV, 3D projections and installations. Mix in Melvin’s openness to collaboration with the likes of Von and you’ve got a creative who is well on course to match the heights he hit last year.

While looking through the portfolio of illustrator and designer Joe Schlaud, one particular project stopped us in our tracks with its audacious absurdity. This cheeky little series of gifs illustrate the concept of combining “ancient Kama Sutra positions with mundane everyday activities,” says Joe. The illustrator’s sarcastic tone on the subject certainly had us chuckling.

The work of Seoul-based illustrator Lee Kyutae is misty-eyed, delicate and quiet. The immense detail in each of Lee’s drawings is jaw-dropping. Pencil marks left, right and centre to create clouds, shadows, landscapes and textures of absolute delight.

Paula Bulling has an illustration style that many wish for. Each of her sketches are effortlessly lovely. Landscapes, town squares filled with people, restaurants or bedrooms, each sketched out in a style of layered fluidity.

Latvian illustrator Zane Zlemeša’s delicately painted drawings are pieces you can spend a long time gazing at. Layered, textured, detailed, her illustrations are individually characteristic, whether they are depicting an interior, a landscape or an individual.

Illustrator Aaron Fernandez depicts a cast of funny fellows in his fluoro palette of highlighter yellow, pink and green. Taking on commissions for Buzzfeed News and Giphy Studios as well as some self-initiated student work for The New York Times, Aaron’s bright and happy sensibilities are portrayed through not only his colour choice but also his clean linework and fresh interpretations of familiar subjects.

Barcelona-based illustrator Cristina Daura’s editorial and commercial work is well-accomplished and retains a real sense of Cristina’s personal style throughout. Using a strong palette of vivid primary and secondary colours there’s a freshness to her work and the way she depicts characters and objects, which is enhanced by the black outlines making everything extra crisp.